V for Vendetta

gga

Another comic, though this one would definitely fit well within the
hazy definition of
a graphic
novel. And this is what I was hoping to get when I started reading
comics. On the surface, it’s a fairly straightforward tale of a
downtrodden society inspired to rise up and throw off their oppressors
by an enigmatic leader. But, it’s just told so well, and being a comic
adds something quite different to the story. There are also enough new
angles, and the refusal to go with the obvious pay-off adds interest.

Compared to The Sandman, V for Vendetta is a much more
traditionally drawn comic; the panels are all regular shapes, with a
regular left-to-right/top-to-bottom flow. And it just ain’t anywhere
near as purty: the colouring and graphic detail just don’t match the
amazing art of Sandman. It does have a very nice dark, brooding
atmosphere, however.

V was first conceived back in 1981, and then written and published
over the remainder of the decade, finally finishing up in 1989. My
edition includes a short introduction by Alan Moore, written in

And this is an interesting comment on those times and these. The
80’s were a decade of conservative dominance, particularly in the UK
and US. Moore writes about the Thatcher government doing everything it
could to outlaw homosexuality. Moore was feeling deeply disaffected
with his home country: he wanted to take his family and leave.

Now, (hopefully) coming to the end of another decade of worldwide
conservative dominance, there is some hope to be had here. Sure,
rights have been eroded and the world in general is now a less
trusting and friendly place. You may look at leaders and policies and
see just a bleak descent into a well of fear and anger.

But, we haven’t gone that far backwards. Australia now has an openly
gay senator: Bob
Brown. Try though the conservatives and neocons might, the world
will move forwards, and inevitably open up. The conservative decade is
coming to a close, and just maybe the next decade will be a world
better fit for everyone to live in.